Effect of stocking rates and anthelminthic treatments on weight gains in weaned Nellore cattle on improved pasture in the Brazilian cerrado.

The results are presented of 6 years of field trials with weaned Nellore cattle on improved pasture in the midwest of Brazil, using 2 stocking rates and 4 anthelminthic treatment regimes. The most profitable regime included treatments in May, June and September, which yielded an additional 41 and 42 kg of liveweight on the 2 stocking rates. No significant additional gains were obtained by treating during the rainy season, or by treating animals more than 24 months of age. The higher stocking rate (1.8 AU/ha) proved excessive on the improved pasture which deteriorated during the 6 year experimental period, yielding suboptimal liveweight gains.